Surratt Conference Update

[L Verge]

I am happy to confirm that our selected speakers for the 15th Annual Surratt Conference on the Lincoln Assassination have all agreed to participate! Mark your calendars now for the weekend of March 14-16, 2014, and plan to attend.

The theme of the conference is LINCOLN'S ASSASSINATION: COLLATERAL DAMAGE and will focus on the effects that the event had on individuals who were touched by it. I am happy to say that most of the speakers are members of this forum.

Rich Smyth and Jim Garrett will share the podium for a presentation on the tremendous amount of work that they have done in tracking down people, places, and things related to the assassination.

John Elliott and Barry Cauchon will catch us up on all of the work they have been doing on the conspirators and what went on at the penitentiary.

Caleb Stephens will be focusing on his extensive research into the sad story of Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris.

Kim Bauer will presenting on behalf of Mary Lincoln, and Jason Emerson will share his take on Robert Lincoln.

Hopefully, other members of this forum will be participating in the Authors' Hour.

I have not yet enticed the banquet speaker that I want into agreeing to make a long trek. However, it is a multi-media presentation on history, letters, and music that reflect the toll on all caught up in the American Civil War. Keep your fingers crossed...

For those of you who want to arrive early and leave late, we will be offering a bus tour into D.C. on Friday to view the trial room, Clara Barton's downtown (post war) office, and the Mathew Brady exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery. And yes, we'll feed you lunch, but we're still dickering for good prices.

On Sunday, we are venturing into Mosby country with an expert guide. Try not to wear a Union kepi on this trip...

A full conference packet will be mailed to all 1500 Surratt Society members during the first week in November. Non-members are certainly welcome, so just yell at me via laurie.verge@pgparks.com to be placed on the conference mailing list.